Send messages#

plans-img Available on all plans

deployment-img Cloud and self-hosted deployments

You can send messages in public and private channels as well as to other users in Mattermost.

Tip

  • When you send messages in a channel, depending on the channel actions configured, specific words in the post can trigger a prompt to run a playbook. Access Channel Actions from the channel name drop-down menu in the center pane to see what automatic actions have been configured for the current channel.

  • If you’re sending a direct message to another user, Mattermost warns you when the recipient’s availability is set to Do Not Disturb, and when the recipient’s local time is outside of regular business hours (between 10PM and 6AM). This warning displays directly above the message text field.

Enter a message in the text field, then select Send Select the Send icon to post your message. to send the message.

Tip

You can also use a keyboard to send messages:

  • Press Enter on Windows or Linux, or ↵ on Mac.

  • You can configure Mattermost to require Shift Enter on Windows or Linux, or ⇧ ↵ on Mac to send multi-line messages. Select the gear Use the Settings icon to customize your Mattermost user experience. icon to go to Settings, then select Advanced > Send messages on CTRL+ENTER.

  1. Tap the text field at the bottom of the Mattermost app to type a message.

Type a message in the text box at the bottom of the mobile app.

  1. Tap Send Select the Send icon to post your message. icon to send it in the channel.

Tap on the send icon to send the message in the channel.

Draft messages#

From Mattermost v7.7, when composing new messages, it’s easy to return to a message in progress later, unless your system admin has disabled global drafts in the System Console.

By default, message drafts are synchronized on the Mattermost server and are accessible everywhere you access Mattermost, including a web browser or the desktop app. Limit drafts to your current Mattermost client only by going to Settings > Advanced > Allow message drafts to sync with the server to disable draft synchronization.

Draft messages are added to a Drafts view available at the top of the channel sidebar.

Global drafts makes it easy for you to find all messages in progress.

When composing a message, you can simply opt to complete it later. The partially composed message is kept in the text field and an Edit option Edit icon. displays next to the channel name.

You can sync a daft message by exiting the channel mid-way while composing the message.

Edit messages#

All users can edit their own sent messages, unless the system admin has restricted the ability to do so.

  1. Using Mattermost in a web browser or the desktop app, select the More Use the More icon to access additional message options. icon next to a message that you’ve sent.

Select the More option to edit or delete a sent message.

  1. Select Edit to edit your own messages. Editing a message won’t trigger new @mention notifications, or desktop notifications.

  1. Long press on the message that you want to edit and tap on Edit.

Tap and hold on a message that you want to edit.

  1. Type the updated message and tap on Save.

Type the updated message and tap save to save the edited message.

Delete messages#

All users can delete their own sent messages, unless the system admin has restricted the ability to do so.

  1. Using Mattermost in a web browser or the desktop app, select the More Use the More icon to access additional message options. icon next to a message that you want to delete.

  2. Select Delete to delete your own messages. Select Delete again to confirm.

  1. Long Press on the message you want to delete and tap on Delete.

Tap and hold on the message that you want to delete.

  1. Tap on Delete again to confirm your choice.

Confirm your choice to delete the message.

Restore a previous version of an edited message#

From Mattermost v7.9, Mattermost Enterprise or Professional customers can edit or delete messages after sending them if your system admin hasn’t restricted the ability to do so using advanced permissions.

Message recipients can’t see your message edit history, and restoring a previous message version won’t trigger new @mention notifications.

Note

Restoring a previous version of the message is available in the Mattermost desktop app or a web browser. The ability to restore using the mobile app isn’t supported.

  1. Select the word Edited next to your message.

  2. In the right pane, review all previous versions of the message.

  3. Select the Restore Use the Restore icon to restore a previous version of an edited message. icon next to the version you want to restore.

  4. Select Confirm.

Select Edited next to an edited message, and then select the version you want to restore.

Do more with your messages#

Tip

Using a RTL plugin, Mattermost can automatically detect and display messages written using right-to-left scripts, such as Arabic, Hebrew, or Persian. Your system admin must install the RTL Plugin to enable this functionality.

Express yourself in Mattermost messages using the following features: